We were saddened to learn last week of the passing of Nick Waloff, Executive Chair of Cotswold Taste and a long-time collaborator with the CCRI.
Nick had a wealth of experience in the food and drink sector. His great energy on behalf of local producers made him a well-known figure in Gloucestershire, and he was actively involved in many initiatives in the county and Southwest region.
We were working with Nick and Cotswold Taste to support agri-food tourism in Gloucestershire, as part of the new National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE). Nick was keenly aware of the need to work together to, in his words, “play our part in helping hard-pressed businesses” to stay resilient through the pandemic and find new opportunities for recovery.
CCRI Director Janet Dwyer said “Nick was a force for action in food, drink and tourism in Gloucestershire and an enthusiastic participant in the local agri-food business community.”
As Nick’s email signature reminded us, he led an organisation “proud to be a co-operative”. Nick’s work for small and medium enterprises kept social responsibility in sight, whether in advocating for a more sustainable brewing industry, or networking with community groups. We will work with his successors to ensure that this work continues, as he would have wanted.
Nick will be greatly missed. Here at the CCRI, our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
